Physically everything seems to be getting better or has already fully recovered. I seem to be tired all the time, but that is probably just a result of doing nothing for month at a time so I will have to work on elevating my energy levels. I think my taste is getting better, but there still are things that don't taste right or just don't taste at all. Sweet, carbonated beverages are a no-go, but I don't really need those anyway. I find it interesting the way my mouth reacts to different foods. Sweet things, in general, leave a nasty taste and funky feeling inside my mouth. I believe that I am starting to taste salty foods a little more, but I think it has to be VERY salty for me to pick out that taste. Everything tends to taste sweet to me, so there are still some improvements that can be made with my taste sensation. Eating is still a bit more of a challenge than it used to be and I find that I have to brush and floss after eating anything or my mouth gets all funky. I guess this whole ordeal has at least improved my overall habits dealing with oral hygiene. That is a plus.
I had a follow up with my ENT surgeon last Friday for my monthly scoping! That is always a pleasant experience. 3 second shots of a lidocaine mist in each nostril followed by a camera going in the left nostril until it reaches the magic spot whereby it produces an uncontrollable gag reflex. Then a bunch of pictures are taken of various things while I am told to make various 'aaaaaaahs' and 'oooooooooos' in between my guttural gagging noises. Nothing to it! That is all followed with the standard, "everything looks good and I will see you in a month!" and then out the door I go. In addition to this appointment, I also had appointments this week with my radiation oncologist and my medical oncologist. I think the appointment with my medical oncologist was my favorite, as he was the only one to NOT stick a camera up my nose and down into my throat. I was not expecting much of anything as far as major news goes and I would say that it lived up to what I was expecting. What I want them to say is that it is gone and I can go about my business as usual and just focus on getting better. I did receive some bad news in the mix in that my radiation oncologist does not think my beard will ever come back. I hope that I can prove him wrong. The results of the scan indicate something abnormal on the left hand side in my neck, but it is unknown as of this point in time. Their recommended action is to let things continue healing and have another scan in 3 months to see what it looks like then. It could be a treated lymph node, scar tissue, residual disease, etc... Basically it could be anything, good or bad. They are not overly concerned with it as it did not change in size in the scan from before treatment to the ones after treatment. I would imagine this is what I will be hearing for a while now until something changes for better or for worse. I hope that it is for the better.
On the brighter side, I am going to try making authentic Bavarian Pretzels this coming weekend. Also going to make about 20 lbs of Bratwurst and grinding meat and making sausage always makes me feel better.
